Traditional Balinese Dance

As you know Balinese dance is beautiful, unique, and closely connected to religious rituals . Balinese dance is dynamic, angular and intensely expressive. Balinese dancers express the stories of dance-drama through the bodily gestures including gestures of fingers, hands, head and eyes.

In this Blog, i'll tell you the famous Balinese Dance. 

1. KECAK

 Kecak alternate spellings: Ketjak and Ketjack) is a form of Balinese dance and music drama that was developed in the 1930s in Bali, Indonesia. Since its creation, it has been performed primarily by men, with the very first women's kecak group starting in 2006^.

Also known as the Ramayana Monkey Chant, the piece, performed by a circle of at least 150 performers wearing checked cloth around their waists, percussively chanting "cak" and moving their hands and arms, depicts a battle from the Ramayana. The monkey-like Vanara led by Hanuman helped Prince Rama fight the evil King Ravana. Kecak has roots in sanghyang, a trance-inducing exorcism dance.

                                                                  source : wikipedia

2. LEGONG

Legong is a form of Balinese dance. It is a refined dance form characterized by intricate finger movements, complicated footwork, and expressive gestures and facial expressions.

Traditionally, legong dancers were girls who have not yet reached puberty. They began rigorous training at about the age of five.

Others believe that the Legong originated with the sanghyang dedari, a ceremony involving voluntary possession of two little girls by beneficent spirits. Legong is also danced at public festivals. Excerpts from Legong dance dramas are put on for tourists. 

 source : WanderAccrosIndia.com

 3. TOPENG BALI (MASK DANCE)

Topeng Bali (Indonesian for "mask") is a dramatic form of Balinese dance in which one or more mask-wearing, ornately costumed performers interpret traditional narratives concerning fabled kings, heroes and myths, accompanied by gamelan music. The Balinese started using and including their masks within their dances in the early 15th century.It is believed that the use of masks is related to the cult of the ancestors, which considered dancers the interpreters of the gods. Topeng performances open with a series of non-speaking masked characters which may not be related to the geeza to be performed.These traditional masks often include Topeng Manis (a refined hero), Topeng Kras (a martial, authoritarian character), and Topeng Tua (an old man who may joke and draw-out the audience).

 source : baliskytour.wordpress.com

source : www.lefevrehs.sa.edu.au

So, that's all about the famous Balinese dance . Actually there are still many Balinese dance hahaha. Will you to try Balinese dance ?? :D i hope you will!. It's fun!

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